Once a source of wonder, the star-filled nights of just a few years ago are vanishing in a yellow haze. Human-produced light pollution not only mars our view of the stars – it threatens astronomy, disrupts ecosystems, affects human health, and wastes energy. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) has produced a range of brochures and guides designed for public use addressing light pollution impacts on wildlife, energy, safety, and human health.
What if the world’s population of around 7 billion were just a village of 100 people? A series of posters titled If The World Were A Village Of 100 People illustrates global statistics in a thought-provoking way, including food, water, energy, and air.
The second international Fascination of Plants Day has the goal of getting as many people as possible around the world fascinated by plants and enthused about the importance of plant science for agriculture, in sustainably producing food, as well as for horticulture, forestry, and all of the non-food products such as paper, timber, chemicals, energy, and pharmaceuticals. The role of plants in environmental conservation will also be a key message.
Earth Hour returns at 8.30pm this Saturday 23 March. It started with Earth Hour Australia and has now become a global event to show what one simple idea can achieve and what one person’s actions can inspire. This Earth Hour people aren’t just switching off their lights as a show of unity in protecting the planet, they’re taking action into their hands and pledging to switch on to renewable energy.
Cloud-free images from a new NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite provide an unprecedented new look at our planet at night, with a global composite image showing the glow of global human settlement. The videos and images also reveal unique views of natural phenomena such as Hurricane Sandy, with glowing patches in Western Australia revealing bushfire intensity.
The Energy Efficiency Information Grants Program is a $40 million merit-based, competitive grants program established by the Commonwealth Government to assist industry associations and non-profits provide practical, tailored energy efficiency information to small and medium enterprises and community organisations. Round 2 is currently open with applications closing 20 December 2012.
In the article Plan to drill 150 gas wells across water catchment The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the NSW government is considering a plan that would lead to hundreds of coal seam gas wells being drilled in near-pristine bushland across Sydney’s drinking water catchment between Sydney and Wollongong to supply a fifth of Sydney’s gas.
Canberra has set an Australian benchmark for low-cost large-scale solar generation with the announcement of the largest solar power facility to be built in Australia to date. When completed in 2014 it will produce enough renewable energy each year to power approximately 4,400 Canberra homes.
The 2012 Government Sustainability Conference will again provide local, state and federal government professionals and representatives of other public sector agencies with comprehensive analysis and advice about how to ingrain environmentally sustainable policies and practices within their organisations and the communities they serve. The conference will incorporate the Public Sector Clean Energy Forum: leading the way to efficient, low-carbon energy use. Registrations are now open, with early-bird registrations available until 25 July 2012.
Global Wind Day is a worldwide event that occurs annually on 15 June. It is a day for discovering wind, its power and the possibilities it holds to change our world. Last year more than 230 events were organised in 40 countries all around the globe.